Making liquid nitrogen from air

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the DIY production of liquid nitrogen from air using a refrigerator compressor and counter-current coils. The Linde method, which requires a pressure of 200 bar, is mentioned as a standard for industrial production, highlighting the impracticality of achieving this pressure with a typical refrigerator compressor. Participants express concerns about the safety of DIY attempts, particularly the potential production of liquid oxygen (LOX), which poses significant dangers. The conversation also clarifies the concept of counter-current heat exchangers in the context of gas liquefaction.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Linde method for gas liquefaction
  • Knowledge of refrigeration cycles and compressor mechanics
  • Familiarity with counter-current heat exchanger design
  • Basic principles of gas compression and liquefaction
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Linde method for industrial gas liquefaction
  • Study the design and operation of counter-current heat exchangers
  • Explore the safety protocols for handling liquid oxygen (LOX)
  • Investigate alternative methods for producing liquid nitrogen commercially
USEFUL FOR

Engineers, DIY enthusiasts, and safety professionals interested in gas liquefaction processes, particularly those exploring refrigeration technology and its applications in cryogenics.

imsmooth
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Has anyone done this as a DIY project? I want to use a refrigerator compressor with counter-current coils.
 
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The foreign wikipedia claims that the Linde method uses a pressure of 200bar. I doubt, that your refrigerator compressor can produce that.
 
It's infinitely easier to just buy it from a commerical vendor - it's really cheap. Any DIY attempt would likely also make LOX, which could be very dangerous.
 
imsmooth said:
Has anyone done this as a DIY project? I want to use a refrigerator compressor with counter-current coils.

what are counter-current coils? what would they do?

i know that compressing a gas will cause it to liquefy, depending on temperature, but i don't know how electrical/magnetic fields come into play.
 
pa5tabear said:
what are counter-current coils? what would they do?

i know that compressing a gas will cause it to liquefy, depending on temperature, but i don't know how electrical/magnetic fields come into play.

he means a countercurrent heat exchanger i.e. you have 2 plug flow reactors one in another, and on the outside one the fluid flows 1 way, the inside one you have the fluid flows another way.
 

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